Workstation

ABSTRACT

A workstation, which is essentially an upright structure, adapted to provide a modifiable support and power-supplying arrangement for a multiplicity of different items or components. The workstation may be; for example, a versatile furniture piece serving as a computer workstation, shelving unit, television/media center, a chair, a worktable, among numerous other functions and configurations which are adapted to provide diverse types of supporting arrangements adapted for versatile home, office and other workplace applications in conformance with customer requirements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/428,144; filed on Nov. 21, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a workstation which isessentially an upright structure adapted to provide a modifiable supportand power-supplying arrangement for a multiplicity of different items orcomponents; for example, a versatile furniture piece serving as acomputer workstation, shelving unit, television/media center, a chair, aworktable, among numerous other functions and configurations which areadapted to provide diverse types of supporting arrangements adapted forversatile home, office and other workplace applications in conformancewith customer requirements.

[0003] In the field of providing workstations and furnishings for homes,offices and other workplaces, it is frequently important to be able toimpart a high degree of versatility to the items of furniture so as tobe able to easily and inexpensively adapt and convert the basiccomponents to suit the most diverse customer requirements at a minimumtime and effort, and in a space-saving mode. In particular, presentmodern furnishings, which are geared to rapid changes in home andworkplace technology, necessitate that furniture items be able to bedesigned so as to accommodate and support, in a selective, and rapidlyexchangeable mode, various items of use in different positions andconditions of readiness.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In order to achieve the foregoing construction of a versatileworkstation, the present invention is directed to providing a basicallymodular and extremely easily adaptable structure, which is designed toserve the function of a media stand and which is able to selectively andinterchangeably mount and/or detachably support different items offurnishing, which are adapted to be utilized or required in either home,office or other suitable workplace locations. To that effect, it isdesirable to be able to provide a basic support structure, which can bemodified and customized at a minimum cost and at a high degree ofinterchangeability by being equipped with various auxiliary structures,such as shelvings mounted thereon, to support diverse items which arerequired by a customer as a modular furniture unit, the latter of whichessentially serves as a workstation.

[0005] In essence, the inventive workstation or modular furniture unitprovides for an upstanding pole or column mounted on a base, which alsoincludes casters to be able to move the column in an easy manner tovarious locations. The column may be equipped with different types ofcomponents, such as shelves or the like, which provides supportarrangements for the most diverse types of items, for example, all kindsof office equipment, computer components, personal items, or householditems, which are commonly employed in offices, houses or industriallocales. Moreover, the workstation may be equipped to house connectionsand wiring leading to electrical power supply sources, telephone andcomputer lines, which may be retained so as to extend within the uprightcolumn or rod hidden from external view and resultingly in anaesthetically attractive manner.

[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea workstation which is adapted to provide a modular and customizablesupport arrangement for a multiplicity of diverse types of furnishingsor items which are commonly employed in many household, office orworkplace applications.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide aworkstation of the type described, which in a readily adjustable mannerenables the interchanging and/or replacing of various support orshelving components that are to be mounted on a basic columnar structureso as to be able to accommodate different types of household or officeitems in conformance with the specification of a customer.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide aworkstation of the type described herein, which is adapted to beconnected and to interiorly house electrical, telephone andcommunication wiring and connections in a highly aesthetic andfunctional manner, and may also serve as a room divider, plant stand orlightening media center.

BRIEF DESCRPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Reference may now be made to the following detailed descriptionof preferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings; in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevational view of an upright columnararrangement forming a basic support structure for the inventiveworkstation;

[0011]FIG. 2 illustrates a rear elevational view of the lower portion ofthe columnar arrangement;

[0012]FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevational view of the upright columnararrangement, the opposite side being a substantial mirror-image thereof;

[0013]FIG. 4 illustrates a detail, on an enlarged scale, of theencircled portion A in FIG. 3, representing one of the slots formed inthe columnar arrangement;

[0014]FIG. 5 illustrates a rear elevational view of the upright supportstructure, showing shelving and other workstation-forming componentsattached thereto;

[0015]FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 5;

[0016]FIG. 7 illustrates a front elevational view of the arrangement ofFIG. 5;

[0017]FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevational view of the arrangement ofFIG. 5;

[0018]FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of a modified arrangement showinga different type of shelving attached to the columnar support structure.

[0019]FIG. 10 illustrates a rear elevational view of the arrangement ofFIG. 9;

[0020]FIG. 11 illustrates a side elevational view of the arrangement ofFIG. 9;

[0021]FIG. 12 illustrates a front elevational view of a modifiedarrangement of the workstation showing different sizes of shelvingattached thereto;

[0022]FIG. 13 illustrates a side elevational view of the arrangement ofFIG. 12;

[0023]FIG. 14 illustrates a rear elevational view of the arrangement ofFIG. 12;

[0024]FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a typical arrangement ofshelf components supported on the upright support structure;

[0025]FIG. 16 illustrates a partial perspective rear view of thearrangement of FIG. 15;

[0026]FIG. 17 illustrates a front perspective view of the arrangement ofFIG. 16 showing various workstation-forming components supportedthereon;

[0027]FIG. 18 illustrates a further modified arrangement of componentssupported on the workstation;

[0028]FIG. 19 illustrates the workstation of FIG. 18 as located within ascreened-off, self-contained cubicle;

[0029]FIG. 20 illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of a supportshelf and lamp on the workstation;

[0030]FIG. 21 illustrates a front perspective view of a modification ofcomponents arranged on the workstation;

[0031]FIG. 22 illustrates an arrangement of shelving and various itemslocated on a workstation similar to that shown in FIG. 9; and

[0032]FIG. 23 illustrates a further arrangement of shelving and supportstructure for a workstation which is adapted for installation in akitchen, and which incorporates a kitchen potholder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Throughout the several views and embodiments, similar oridentical components may be identified by or designated with the samereference numerals.

[0034] Referring now in more specific detail to the drawings, andparticularly the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated agenerally upright support structure 10, which is in the form of a poleor column. The structure 10 is preferably configured in traversecross-section as being rectangular, but may also be of a selectivelyround, ovoid triangular or square shape among others, and possesses ahollow interior along the vertical extent thereof. The upper end of theupright structure 10 may be closed off by means of a suitable cover orcap 12.

[0035] The upright pole or column 10, and also cap 12, is adapted to beconstructed of any suitable rigid and load-supportive metallic ornon-metallic material; for instance, such as aluminum, sheetmetal,high-strength molded plastic or wood, and may be imparted with selectiveexterior surface colorings and texture in conformance with the specificdecorative requirements of a customer. Thus, for example, the exteriorsurfaces of the column 10 may be imbued with a polished metal finish orglossy and/or flat painted decorative colors, or provided with a woodgrain finish intended to simulate wood, in case the column 10 is notactually constituted of a wood or wood-based material. The pole 10 maybe vertically extending, or may slope slightly rearwardly, such as at anangle of about 5° to 15° from the vertical.

[0036] The lower end of the upright pole or column 10 is supported on agenerally horizontally extending base structure 14, which, as clearlyshown in the drawings, may be of a plate-like element 16 in the form ofa plurality of circumferentially spaced of spokes 18 each extendingradially outwardly from a center hub 20. The bottom end portion of thepole 10 may be fastened by means of upstanding gusset plates 22extending from each of the spokes towards the bottom side surfaces ofthe pole, and are fastened thereto by means of suitable screw threadedelements 24, or spring pin arrangement for rapid tool-less assembly, asshown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. These gussets 22, which may be of arigid material, such as aluminum, are attached or fastened to the uppersurface of the base plate spoke-like elements 16. The base platestructure 14 may be constituted of either particle board, metal,plastic, or wood, as may be desired by customer requirements, and alsodependent upon the type of loads, which are imparted to the pole 10 uponthe mounting thereon of various structural components, such as shelvesand the items placed thereon, as discussed hereinbelow.

[0037] The outer end portions of each of the spokes 18 of the baseplates16 may be provided with leveling structures 26, such as made by LEVELORor, alternatively, with suitable rollers or casters (not shown) to adaptthe entire workstation to be rolled or moved to different locations inan easy manner.

[0038] As shown in the drawings, the hollow interior of the upright poleor column 10 may be provided, preferably towards the lower rear endthereof, with an access aperture 30 to facilitate electrical wires orcables to be conveyed into and snaked through the interior of the column10 so as to aesthetically hide such cables from external view when theentire workstation is viewed by a user from the front or sides thereof.Moreover, electrical or cable connector plugs 32 may also be provided inthe baseplate structure 14 to facilitate connections between therespective gussets 22 and the spoke-like elements 16.

[0039] The front and adjoining side edges 34 of the column or pole 10may be provided with a series of vertically spaced through notches 36,which are adapted to provide supports for shelving or other supportstructures to be mounted on pole 10, as described hereinbelow inconnection with various embodiments. These notches 36, as shown in morespecific detail in FIG. 4 of the drawings, are essentially of elongatedslot-like nature and extend through the front side portions and frontedges on both sides of the column or pole of a width to also allow forthe passing through of the electrical wires and cables, printer plugsand 110 v plugs from the hollow interior of pole 10 to any wired itemssupported on the respective shelves attached to pole 10.

[0040] As shown in a specific workstation 40, as represented by theembodiment of FIGS. 5 through 8 of the drawings, the upright column orpost 10, has a number of shelves 42, 44 and 46 attached adjustablythereto, along the height thereof. Each of the shelves fit into,respectively, a pair of the slot-like 36 notches at the opposite sideand front edges 34 of the post 10. As shown by the detail “B” relativeto the rear edge of bottom shelf 46 (all other shelves having the sameedge structure), the shelf 46, referring to FIG. 6, has a center cutout50 with a narrower cross-section 52 towards the bottom 54 of the cutout50. The wider section 56 of the cutout 50 slides over the walls of post10, while the narrower section 52 slides into notches 36 so as to besupported thereon.

[0041] The rear edges 60, 62, 64 of each of the shelves may be fastenedto rear ledges or shelf support angles 66, 68, 70, and fastened by meansof brackets 72, and keyway/stud interlocking system fastenings 74 to therear of post 10, as shown in Detail C, the latter of which has suitablethreaded apertures and stamped keyways formed therein for this purpose,for quick and easy locking in and changing of components. In effect,each of the shelves are fixed in the form of cantilevers extendingforwardly from the post 10.

[0042] In order to maintain the weights of the shelves as low aspossible, while still having them of sufficient strength and rigidity tosupport relatively heavy items, the shelves may be formed of suitablepressed paperboards, plastics, plywood and laminations, glass,composites and butcher block, and may be decoratively finished, asrequired by customers. For example, as illustrated in the embodiment ofFIGS. 5-8, in that instance, the bottom shelf 46 may be at a suitablelevel mounted on post 10, adapted to receive various storage items,and/or diverse accessories.

[0043] The shelf 44 thereabove, has a computer keyboard tray 80 mountedtherebelow, which is optionally adapted to support a keyboard 82 in apull-out condition, whereas the upper surface of the shelf 44 may beadapted to support a monitor and provide a work surface for variousfurther components of a computer or processor arrangement. The uppermostshelf 42 may also be employed for the support and storage of diverseitems, as required by a user.

[0044] Furthermore, supported from one edge portion below the shelf 44mounting the keyboard computer tray may be a CPU tower 86, which is alsosupported from the floor by means of a suitable adjustable stabilizerleg element 88, so as to avoid imparting an excessive bending load tothe workstation.

[0045] Any electrical and cable components leading to the computer andother electrical devices, are, of course, as previously indicated,arranged to a large extent within the column or rod 10 and are adaptedto be passed outwardly through the notches 36 so as to be connectable tothe various components on the shelves may necessitate electrical poweror other services as needed to be supplied thereto.

[0046] As indicated, the rod element 88 supporting the CPU tower unit 86may also provide for connecting support straps 90 to the shelf 44holding the computer monitor, and adjustable stabilizing leg 88 may alsobe fastened to the CPU tower 86 with a support angle 92 through thumbscrews, the lower end of which is supported on the floor for theworkstation.

[0047] With regard to the further disclosed embodiments, these areprimarily modifications and utilizations of optional equipment, whichmay be mounted on or supported from the basic upright column or rod 10so as to form diverse workstations.

[0048] Having particular reference to the workstation 100 shown in FIGS.9 to 11, in this instance, the post 10 is equipped with four (4)substantially identical shelves 102. Each of the shelves 10 may beprovided with book stop limits 104 at suitable locations so as to formadjustable bookshelves. The book stop limits 104 may each be generallysemi-circular plate members attachable in adjustable and uprightorientations on the shelves 102. A plurality of shelves may be fastenedto the upright column or rod, and having adjustable book stop limitsarranged on each of shelves so as to adapt the entire workstation to bedesigned as a bookcase or a book support.

[0049] Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 12-14, these figuresprimarily show a workstation 110 with shelves 112, 114 of differentwidths and lengths being supported at different heights along the columnor upright post 10 with the shelves being possibly support shelves forvarious types of items, such as office equipment or household items inconformance with the requirements of specific customers.

[0050] As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 15 of the drawings,three (3) shelves 122, 124 and 126 are shown mounted on the verticalcolumn 10, in which uppermost shelf 122 includes a bookend stop and alsoa monitor for a computer, middle shelf 124 includes bookend stops,including a pull-out tray 128 for the computer keyboard being mountedbelow the shelf, and a printer being supported on the lowermost thirdshelf 126. As shown in FIG. 16, the middle shelf also at one end thereofmay support a CPU tower 86 for the computer, similar to FIGS. 5 to 8,with the remaining shelves being similar to those in that previousembodiment.

[0051] This is also illustrated in the front perspective view of FIG.17, showing the various computer components supported thereon, includinga printer or facsimile machine; whereas in the modification of FIG. 18of the drawings, rather than having the book end stops, the shelves 122,124, 126 are adapted to support a computer.

[0052] Indicated in FIG. 19 is a screen arrangement 130, plant hangerand/or room divider to facilitate further flexibility for the home,office and afford privacy. This allows for flexibility in placement forthe workstation with no back side adapted to be supported adjacent theworkstation; whereas in FIG. 20, this illustrates a detail of readinglamp, task or work light being supported on the top column cap 12, withthe wire running through post 10.

[0053] Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 21, in that instance, theshelves 150, 152, 154 may be of a somewhat more decorative nature withrounded front edges, such as being adapted for a home office or a study,in which the uppermost shelf 150 supports a lamp, as shown differentlyin FIG. 20, and may also support personal items, such as a pictureframe; whereas middle shelf 152 supports a telephone and may be adaptedto have a monitor supported thereon, and therebeneath a pull-outkeyboard tray for operating a computer, which is above lowermost shelf154.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 22, as in FIGS. 9-11, the shelves 102 may beadapted to provide for book end stops, similar to the shelves 102 inFIG. 9 of the drawings, and illustrates books and other items beingoptionally supported thereon, such as a phone station, printing,stereos, and lighting, all with internal wire management, in accordancewith the requirements of a user, and also such items as a printer,telephone, and various personal items, in addition to ledgers or books.

[0055] Finally, with respect to the butcher block embodiment of aworkstation 160 as in FIG. 23 of the drawings, in that instance, theshelves 162, 164, 166 and 168 are adapted to support household items,such as being utilized in a kitchen, including a coffee maker, amicrowave, and the upper end of the upright column or pole 10, may beequipped with a cross-bar 170 including attachments for suspendingvarious kitchen pots and/or pans.

[0056] In view of the foregoing, it clearly appears that the presentinvention comprising the unique and extremely versatile workstationadaptable to a multiplicity of uses and configurations, which possessesconstituents readily modified or customized in accordance with theparticular requirements of a customer and may be easily adapted forhome, office, industrial or other workplace applications. Furthermore,it is also possible to interchange colorings and surface finishes of thevarious components to impart a multi-colored, highly aestheticallyattractive effect, and to essentially be able to mix and match differenttypes of shelvings adapted for diverse uses in a single workstation.

[0057] From the standpoint of an all-inclusive design concept,consideration can be given to the ergonomics of multi-viewing and workheights, positions for users standing or sitting, stools and chairs,large and small body types, shelves and storage requirements, media,speakers to enhance gaming options, and simulators to create anenvironment.

[0058] While the present invention has been particularly shown anddescribed with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and otherchanges in forms and details may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended thatthe present invention not be limited to the exact forms and detailsdescribed and illustrated but fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A workstation for mounting at least one supportsurface for selectively supporting diverse items on said at one leastone support surface; said workstation comprising: a base structurehaving means for positioning said base structure on a floor surface; andan upright columnar member being mounted on said base structure, saidcolumnar member including a plurality of vertically spaced notchesengageable by said at least support surface for adjustably mounting saidat least one support surface on said columnar member at selectiveheights thereof.
 2. A workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidnotches formed in said columnar member comprise paired slots at eachsaid vertically spaced locations on said columnar member, said at leastone support surface comprising a shelf having a cutout in one edgethereof engageable in said slots for mounting said shelf in a projectingorientation on said columnar member.
 3. A workstation as claimed inclaim 2, wherein said cutout in the edge of said shelf has a widenedopening extending externally of said columnar member and a narrowerbottom portion which is supported on the surfaces of said slots.
 4. Aworkstation as claimed in claim 3, wherein a plurality of said supportsurfaces are mounted on said columnar member at vertical spacingsrelative to each other, and comprising selectively a media center, ascreened-off, self-contained cubicle or enclosed workspace, a seatingarrangement, a speaker holder and simulator environment, or storagefacility.
 5. A workstation as claimed in claim 2, wherein said columnarmember comprises a post having a hollow interior communicating with saidslots, and an aperture being formed in said columnar member proximatethe lower rear end thereof so as to facilitate the insertion ofelectrical and communication lives into said post interior andconducting to items on at least one support surface in exiting throughsaid slots.
 6. A workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said basestructure comprises a plurality of radial spaced spokes extending from acenter portion of a base plate, a plurality of gussets being provided onsaid radial spokes, and the bottom end of said columnar member beingfastened on said base plate.
 7. A workstation as claimed in claim 6,wherein said baseplate includes leveling devices connected to the freeend portions of said spokes for adjusting the upright orientation ofsaid columnar member.
 8. A workstation as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid columnar member is mounted on said base structure in a verticallyextending orientation.
 9. A workstation as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid columnar member is tilted rearwardly from the vertical at an anglewithin the range of about 5° to 15°.
 10. A workstation as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said columnar member has a generally rectangularcross-section, said notches for a quick release assembly being formed inopposite front corners of the front side of said columnar member.
 11. Aworkstation as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of said supportsurfaces includes means for suspending a computer component from saidsupport surface.
 12. A workstation as claimed in claim 4, wherein atleast one of said support surfaces comprise a pull-out tray for acomputer keyboard arranged below said support surface.
 13. A workstationas claimed in claim 4, wherein said support surfaces comprise shelveshaving back ledges and brackets, with quick release components forfastening said shelves to the rear of said columnar member.
 14. Aworkstation as claimed in claim 4, wherein said support surface comprisestorage shelves for diverse household, office and industrial items. 15.A workstation as claimed in claim 4, wherein said support surfacescomprise a computer workplace.
 16. A workstation as claimed in claim 4,wherein said support surfaces comprise bookshelves mounting book endlimit stops.
 17. A workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein a coveringcap is fastened to the upper end of said columnar structure.
 18. Aworkstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein a crossbar for suspendingkitchen utensils is mounted on the upper end of said columnar member.19. A workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said columnar member,base structure and said at least one support surface are constituted ofmetallic and non-metallic materials.
 20. A workstation as claimed inclaim 14, wherein said materials are selected from the group ofmaterials consisting of aluminum, sheetmetal, plastics, pressedpaperboard, laminates of the materials, plywood or composites of diversewoods, metallic and synthetic materials.